Women Entrepreneurs: 62% feel depressed at least once a week
More than ever I am hearing women business owners & entrepreneurs complain of increased feelings of anxiety, worry and depression. Maybe this is you too? You might be surprised to know you are not alone in this boat.
Small Business Trends sited in a new study by Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) revealing 62% of business owners feel depressed at least once a week. They also reported high degrees of stress about cash flow (67%) and stressed about not fulfilling responsibilities in their personal lives (39%). More than half reported experiencing feelings of inadequacy (51%) and depressed mood (50%).
The answer you are looking for to feel better, might be closer and simpler than you think. Researchers have known for a long time what you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, your mood. Surprised? Keep reading.
Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School published Nutritional Psychiatry: Your Brain on Food using this description how food impacts your mental health. Here's what they said.
"Like an expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress — the “waste” (free radicals) produced when the body uses oxygen, which can damage cells.
Unfortunately, just like an expensive car, your brain can be damaged if you ingest anything other than premium fuel. If substances from “low-premium” fuel (such as what you get from processed or refined foods) get to the brain, it has little ability to get rid of them. Diets high in refined sugars, for example, are harmful to the brain. In addition to worsening your body’s regulation of insulin, they also promote inflammation and oxidative stress. Multiple studies have found a correlation between a diet high in refined sugars and impaired brain function — and even a worsening of symptoms of mood disorders, such as depression."
Surprised? This leaves you with the question to ask yourself "Am I making my anxiety and depression worse? If so, what can I do about it?" The solution to positively impacting those feelings of anxiety and depression could be as simple as looking at your everyday food choices.
Nutritional psychiatry: What does it mean for you?
"Start paying attention to how eating different foods makes you feel — not just in the moment, but the next day. Try eating a “clean” diet (loaded with fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds) for two to three weeks — that means cutting out all processed foods and sugar. See how you feel. Then slowly introduce foods back into your diet, one by one, and see how you feel.
When some people “go clean,” they cannot believe how much better they feel both physically and emotionally, and how much worse they then feel when they reintroduce the foods that are known to enhance inflammation."
So, are you still unsure which choices are best for your plate? Check out Best Diets U.S. News Report 2021 and the USDA website for healthy eating suggestions. Need more help to feel better, improve your physical and mental health? We also recommend SHRED10 JumpStart for quick results, and One Simple Change to keep your mind and body at top performance and productivity. Can't do it alone? Consult someone who knows about whole food nutrition, clean eating, a healthcare professional such as a dietitian, nutrition expert or certified health coach.
Take Healthy Back www.fb.com/groups/wackyforwellness #MotivationMonday #C2YHWI #CindyCohenRN #mentoringwomenworks #Nutz4Nutrition #womenmoveforward #myshred10 #C2YourHealth
Comments
Post a Comment